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Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

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In desperation, they wrote

August 01 2024

Formatted in prose paragraphs, while written in rhyming couplets, before Christy Fleming describes the desperate situation many people in Ireland find themselves in amidst a housing crisis

In a laneway, a man’s face looked up, in his hand a paper cup. Begging for money, crying out for help, I wondered how that man felt. He reminded me of a friend who was on the streets because of mortgage debt he couldn’t meet, summoned to court to defend his home shaken, scared, he felt alone. In court he watched as the plaintiffs made their play, wanting vacant possession of family homes with the least limited stay, no concern as to how defendants would cope, if an order was given, they may as well be handing out ropes.

They wrote in desperation, not knowing what to expect, if a reply from the Office of An Taoiseach would have a positive effect on the possession orders pending, evictions staring them in the face, families terrified that vultures would now invade their space.

Landlords quitting the rental market, some TDs and Senators opting into the rental market. Irish tenants on their knees, informed by landlords that they must leave, some sleeping on cardboard boxes, others sleeping in cars and tents, thousands of Irish citizens cannot afford the massive hikes in rent.

Repossession of family homes, mothers, fathers, children scared and left alone. Our children’s inheritance stolen, eviction the price families pay, their homes sold to vulture funds while families are threatened with prison if they stand in their way. Irish citizens locked up in Mountjoy for refusing to hand over their homes, separated from their children, incarcerated but not alone. With a hunger in their eyes, the defendants’ homes their prize.

Your Honour, I say that on 29 February 2005. A said sum of money was advanced and the said mortgage went live. The defendant broke contract by defaulting on their loan, so I ask that this honourable court make an order that they surrender the said home.

The judge looked to my friend and said, you have heard the barrister for the other side do you have anything to say?

My friend said yes judge if I may, I’m just an ordinary family man struggling to make ends meet. Trying to make the best of my financial situation after being let go from my employment. I fear for the future of my children and grandchildren and I worry as to how they will survive and be able to provide for their future families in this crazy upside-down world that we now reside in, where an un-elected few have direct access to the ear of many elected politicians.

I put it to you your Honour, what can I, an ordinary citizen of Ireland, do to protect my family home from vulture funds and banks that want to evict us? It’s a disgrace your Honour, where is the democracy that was fought for by our forefathers in 1916?

Listen here young man, I have listened to your story of concern, however you are not here to talk about your democratic rights or 1916, you are here to discuss the matter regarding defaulting on your mortgage loan, and it’s for this reason, you will forfeit your home. My duty as judge is to serve judgement your agreement with your mortgage lender was to pay your loan. You broke contract, you didn’t pay, this is why you are standing here in front of me today.

Do you understand, I am granting an order for possession with a stay of six months with costs to the plaintiff. Be advised, once the stay expires the plaintiff will instruct the sheriff to take possession of said property. Do you understand?

Repossession of family homes, mothers, fathers, children scared and left alone. Our children’s inheritance stolen, eviction the price families pay, their homes sold to vulture funds while families are threatened with prison if they stand in their way. Irish citizens locked up in Mountjoy for refusing to hand over their homes, separated from their children, incarcerated but not alone.

We implore you Taoiseach, we implore every politician elected to the Dáil, intervene now, stop repossession of family homes.

Speak with us Taoiseach, speak with us elected politicians, listen to the concerns of your constituents, those facing eviction and those already on the street.

What about our children and grandchildren and all future generations to come? What about security of tenure, will it be guaranteed? And just for now, providing homes for families in this, their greatest moment of need.


Dictionary

  • Taoiseach: the head of the Irish government
  • TD(s): short for Teachta Dála, a member of the lower house of the Irish Parliament
  • The Dáil: the lower house of the Irish Parliament.

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August – September 2024 : Being Heard

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